Tales from the Infirmary

When I was studying for my MA in Popular Culture Studies at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, I worked as an intern at the Wood County Historical Center and Museum. The museum is located on the site of the county’s former infirmary or “poor farm.” Built in 1867, the infirmary was a repository for the county’s cast-offs — the homeless, the downtrodden, the sick, the elderly, orphans, and of course, the mentally ill. The museum is located inside of the old infirmary building; a really neat sprawling building with three wings. I was hired to help develop an exhibit in an outer building called “The Lunatic House”, which was built in the 1880s especially to house mentally ill residents. I did a lot of research in old local newspapers for the exhibit, and was fascinated with what I found. It wasn’t unusual to find articles proclaiming “(insert local resident’s name) IS INSANE,” with an unflinching account of their descent into insanity. The honesty and amount of disclosure can be pretty stunning. People really did view mental illness as a community issue, and felt good knowing that the infirmary was there to care for local unfortunates. Treatment styles changed over time however, and local cases were eventually sent to larger state asylums. Institutionalization was pretty much the de facto “solution” for most of the 20th century — today, we’ve still got that, but we’re getting back to more local, community-oriented responses as well. Yesterday’s “lunatic house” is today’s group house.

Baseball Cure for the Insane

From the Sheboygan Press, July 19, 1911. Click on article to enlarge.

BASEBALL CURE FOR INSANE
Treatment Is Not Altogether New-
Expert Says It Quickens Sluggish Brains and Wits.

Baseball dope, the batting averages league standings. vital statistics and the rest of the assorted, first-aid-to the curious information, is now being put to practical use In curing backward minds and incorrigible students In the Newton Technical high school, Boston.

Scientific Mysteries!